[he blinks again, eyes widening, because. . . well. she isn't too far off]

Something. . . kinda like that. Yeah.

[another deep breath]

We did look for other ways. Brought up all sorts of alternative solutions, only to have 'em all torn to pieces. This was. . . well. No one's happy about it, not even now. But we didn't. . .

[he shakes his head, brows furrowing, a frustrated noise slipping past his lips]

All three of us agreed that even if it hurt our friends, even if we had to turn ourselves into villains, then it'd all be worth it. It'd be worth it if we could make sure that at least forty-one souls make it home safely.

[lifts a hand and rakes his through his hair]

We didn't want anyone else here to carry that burden. We didn't want kids, like Dipper and Mabel, to feel like they had to kill. Or worse, potentially sell their soul to eternal servitude to a stupid god in order to save everyone.

. . . so you're close. I guess it was a matter of us just not trusting enough people. Though we really were going to tell people, before Andersen opened his mouth. Those we thought might agree with us and take the deal if the three of us didn't make it to the end.